[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            JAMES FRED BOONE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I honor today a fellow New Mexican and great American, James Fred 
Boone of Portales.
  Fred Boone greatly distinguished himself during World War II in 
connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the 
United States on the Kumagaya, Japan, raid of August 15, 1945. Then 
Lieutenant Boone demonstrated an exceptional act of courage by putting 
himself in an extremely dangerous position, including risking his life. 
To assure the safety of his entire bomber group, he attempted to 
trigger electronically some of the bombs that failed to release in an 
aircraft. When Lieutenant Boone attempted to go through the bulkhead 
door, the wind blast was so strong that he opted to go to the front of 
the aircraft. In order to accomplish this, he had to cross over the 
mid-window section which he could not do with his parachute on. He, 
therefore, removed his parachute and entered the forward bay with the 
bomb bay doors open. Lieutenant Boone then pried the bombs loose with a 
screw driver, in an awkward position of practically standing on his 
head, while the crew watched in suspense. His valor and courage will 
never be forgotten.
  I invite my colleagues, all New Mexicans and the entire Nation, to 
join me in paying tribute to this very great America. His valor and 
courage will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________